Electric light fixture

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to an electric lamp having a socket and connected switch housing electrically insulated, one from the other, wherein the combined socket and switch member is detachably connected to the lamp base or fixture. The combined socket and switch housing is detachably connected to the fixture by means of a laterally extending flange which is adapted to be snap fitted into a complementary groove formed on the fixture.

United States Patent 721 int-8mm Arnold M. Miller 56] References Cited [2 A l N 2 222 UNITED STATES PATENTS pp 0. I Filed Dec. 1968 2.596,006 5/1952 Bramming 240/81 (X) 45 Patented June 29, 1971 FOREIGN PATENTS [73] ASSignee A-Bee Syndicate, inc. 372,753 12/1963 Switzerland 240/81 New York N'Y' Primary ExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Moses [541 ELECTRIC LIGHT F lXTURE Auorneylrving Seidman ABSTRACT: This disclosure is directed to an electric lamp having a socket and connected switch housing electrically insulated, one from the other, wherein the combined socket and 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[521 US. Cl 240/81, Switch member is detachably connected to the lamp base or 240/521 240/73 fixture. The combined socket and switch housing is [51] int. Cl F21s 1/12 detachably connected to the fixture by means ofa laterally ex- [50] Field of Search 240/81, l nding flange which is adapted to be snap fitted into a com- 11.2,52, 52.1, 52.6, 73 OD plementary groove formed on the fixture.

I I I I l l I l l- I I t I l l I I /'14 l 17 l l 16 W x l 18 PATENTEU JUN29 15m 7 21 Z16 l A 2125 INVENTOR.

lk/vozp M. Mu. LEA

11- rox/ws' ELECTRIC LIGHT FIXTURE PROBLEM IN THE ART Heretofore numerous attempts have been made to simplify the construction and assembly of an electric light fixture. Generally the lamps or bulb socket was rigidly connected to the lamp base or lampshade. For this reason numerous manufacturing and/or handling operations were required to fabricate or make such lamps or electric light assemblies. The relatively numerous and oftentimes tedious and time-consuming operations heretofore required to make such lamps only tended to increase the cost thereof to the ultimate consumer.

OBJECTS It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improvement of an electric light assembly which is relatively simple in construction and which can be readily assembled oi disassembled with a minimum of effort and a maximum of ease.

Another object is to provide an improved electric lamp construction in which the lamp holder or socket is detachably connected to the lamp fixture or shade.

Another object is to provide a lamp construction having a fixture or shade and the sockettherefor formed with complementary interconnecting means'which permit the ready assembly or disassembly thereof without the use of tools.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained by a lamp fixture or shade having means defining a circumscribing groove adapted to detachably receive the lamp socket means. The lamp socket means is provided with a laterally extending flange portion which is shaped and sized so as to be snap fitted to the circumscribing groove.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of an improved socket construction which can be readily detachably connected to the lamp fixture or shade.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a fixture or shade having a resiliently formed groove and a large socket having a laterally extending flange portion adapted to be interfitted in the groove with a minimum of effort.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the specification and drawings in which:

FIG. I is a vertical sectional view of an electric light fixture or lamp embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section of still another form of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIG. I an electric light assembly comprising a fixture 11 and an associated lamp socket 12. Fixture 11 as defined herein may refer to a shade structure or a combined shade and base member formed of any suitable material, e.g. plastic, metal, glass, and the like or combination thereof. In the illustrated form of the invention the fixture 11 comprises a frustum-conical base portion 13 which converges upwardly and inwardly and an integrally connected upper or shade portion 14. As shown the upper shade portion diverges upwardly and outwardly at the lower end thereof, and thence upwardly and inwardly to define a chimney circumscribing the socket means 12. 1

At the interconnection between the base portion 13 and the shade portion 14 there is provided an undulating section 15 in which a circumscribing internal groove 16 is defined by one of the undulations.

The socket means 12 of the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises a lamp or bulb holder portion 12A formed of a metallic material. Generally the lamp holder 12A may be p vided with a thread or spiral forming convolution for threa engaging thereinto an electric light bulb or lamp 17.

Connected to the lamp holder portion 12A is a switch ho ing 12B generally formed of a ceramic, bakelite or other su ble electrical insulating material in which a conventio switch is enclosed. The encased switch structure, not sho may comprise any conventional type switch for making 2 breaking the circuit to the electric light bulb 17. A switch tuator 18 in the form ofa tum knob is provided for opening closing the switch.

Connected intermediate the lamp holder and the swi housing for electrically insulating the respective compone thereof is a member or disc 12C formed of a suitable electri insulating material, e.g. a vulcanized fiber or fiberboard z the like.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the disc insulating member 12C extends laterally of the socket me: to define a projecting flange portion 19 which is I'CCCII within groove 12 in the assembled position as shown. Be'car the disc or member 12C is formed of a fiberboard and/or undulating construction of connection 15 is rende; somewhat resilient depending on the material employed, socket means can be readily connected to the fixture ll simply snap fitting the flange 19 of the disc member 12C ii the groove 16. In this manner the socket means 12 can readily assembled to the fixture 11 without the use of z handtools and with a minimum of effort and lost time. It be understood that the base portion 13 may be provided wit suitable slot for accommodating the switch actuator turn sh 18A.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modified form of the invention. lnt form the fixture 111 is similar-in all respects to that definec FIG. I. The socket means 112 of this form comprises a la: holder portion 112A, a switch housing 1128 and a connec insulating disc or member 112C. However, in this form of invention the metallic lamp holder 112A, which may be m: of aluminum or the like is provided with a flatter revers bent portion to define a laterally extending circumscrib flange I19 which is adapted to be received within groove 1 of the lamp fixture 11 1.

The switch housing 1128 and the switch means contair therein is similar to that hereinbefore described with resp to FIG. I. In this form of the invention the insulation disc n: not extend laterally of the socket means 112. In all otl respects the construction of FIG. 2 is similar to that of FIG.

FIG. 3 illustrates still another form of the invention. In t form the fixture 211 is similar in construction to that of Fl( 1 and 2. In this form the socket means 212 comprises a la holder portion 212A similar to that of FIG. 1 and an insula disc member 212C similar to that described with respect FIG. 2. As shown, the switch housing 2128 which is formec bakelite or other suitable electrically insulating material formed with an integral laterally extending flange 219 whicl adapted to be snap fitted into groove 216 of the lamp fixtl 211. In all other respects the construction of the assembly FIG. 3 is similar to that of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

While the invention has been described with respect several embodiments thereof, it will be readily understood 2 appreciated that variations and modifications may be in: without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

ll. An electric lamp comprising a socket means,

said socket means including a switch housing and a c nected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive electric light bulb,

an electrically insulating member interposed between s switch housing and said metallic bulb holder,

a fixture means for supporting said socket means,

said fixture means including a circumscribing gror formed on said fixture,

d a laterally extending flange connected to said socket means whereby said flange is snap fitted to said groove for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture in spaced relationship thereto. An electric lamp comprising ncket means, id socket means including a switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb, l electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder, fixture means for supporting said socket means, id complementary means formed on said socket means and said fixture means for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture means, herein said fixture comprises a lampshade, and herein said lampshade comprises a restricted portion intermediate the ends thereof, id said complementary means includes a circumscribing groove formed in said restricted portion of said shade, rid said socket means includes a laterally extending circumscribing flange which is adapted to be snap fitted into said groove for detachably securing said socket means to said lampshade. An electric lamp comprising socket means, aid socket means including a switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb, .n electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder, fixture means for supporting said socket means, ind complementary means formed on said socket means and said fixture means for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture means, vherein said fixture comprises a lampshade, and erein said fixture comprises in integrally formed base portion and connected shade portion, I and said complementary means comprising a circumscribing groove formed at the juncture of said base portion and said shade portion and a laterally extending flange formed on said socket means adapted to be detachably received in said groove. 4. An electric lamp comprising a socket means, said socket means including a switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb, an electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder, a fixture means for supporting said socket means, and complementary means formed on said socket means and said fixture means for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture means, wherein said complementary means includes means defining a circumscribing groove formed on said fixture means, and said electrically insulating member having a peripheral portion extending laterally beyond the periphery of said holder and adapted to be detachably received in said groove.

I 5. An electric lamp comprising a socket means,

said socket means including switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb,

an electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder,

a fixture means for supporting said socket means,

and complementary means formed on said socket means and said fixture means for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture means,

wherein said complementary means includes means defining a circumscribing groove formed on said fixand said fixture means for detachably securing saidsocket means to said fixture means,

wherein said complementary means includes means defining a circumferentially extending groove formed on said fixture means,

and said switch housing having a laterally extending flange portion adapted to be detachably received in said groove.

7. An electric light means comprising:

a fixture having a base portion and a connected shade portion,

means interconnecting said base portion to said shade portion,

said latter means including an undulating connection defining a circumscribing groove,

a lamp socket means,

said lamp socket means including a threaded lamp holder adapted to receive an electric light bulb,

a switch housing connected to said lamp holder,

and a nonconducting member interposed between said lamp holder and said switch housing for electrically insulating one from the other,

and a laterally extending flange circumscribing said lamp socket means, said flange being detachably received in said groove for supporting said lamp socket means in said groove.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said base portion is frustum-conical in shape, and 

1. An electric lamp comprising a socket means, said Socket means including a switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb, an electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder, a fixture means for supporting said socket means, said fixture means including a circumscribing groove formed on said fixture, and a laterally extending flange connected to said socket means whereby said flange is snap fitted to said groove for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture in spaced relationship thereto.
 2. An electric lamp comprising a socket means, said socket means including a switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb, an electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder, a fixture means for supporting said socket means, and complementary means formed on said socket means and said fixture means for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture means, wherein said fixture comprises a lampshade, and wherein said lampshade comprises a restricted portion intermediate the ends thereof, and said complementary means includes a circumscribing groove formed in said restricted portion of said shade, and said socket means includes a laterally extending circumscribing flange which is adapted to be snap fitted into said groove for detachably securing said socket means to said lampshade.
 3. An electric lamp comprising a socket means, said socket means including a switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb, an electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder, a fixture means for supporting said socket means, and complementary means formed on said socket means and said fixture means for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture means, wherein said fixture comprises a lampshade, and wherein said fixture comprises an integrally formed base portion and connected shade portion, and said complementary means comprising a circumscribing groove formed at the juncture of said base portion and said shade portion and a laterally extending flange formed on said socket means adapted to be detachably received in said groove.
 4. An electric lamp comprising a socket means, said socket means including a switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb, an electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder, a fixture means for supporting said socket means, and complementary means formed on said socket means and said fixture means for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture means, wherein said complementary means includes means defining a circumscribing groove formed on said fixture means, and said electrically insulating member having a peripheral portion extending laterally beyond the periphery of said holder and adapted to be detachably received in said groove.
 5. An electric lamp comprising a socket means, said socket means including switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb, an electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder, a fixture means for supporting said socket means, and complementary means formed on said socket means and said fixture means for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture means, wherein said complementary means includes means defining a circumscribing groove formed on said fixture means, and said metallic holder having a laterally extending flange portion adapted to be detachably received in said groove.
 6. An electric lamp comprising a socket means, said socKet means including a switch housing and a connected metallic holder adapted to detachably receive an electric light bulb, an electrically insulating member interposed between said switch housing and said metallic bulb holder, a fixture means for supporting said socket means, and complementary means formed on said socket means and said fixture means for detachably securing said socket means to said fixture means, wherein said complementary means includes means defining a circumferentially extending groove formed on said fixture means, and said switch housing having a laterally extending flange portion adapted to be detachably received in said groove.
 7. An electric light means comprising: a fixture having a base portion and a connected shade portion, means interconnecting said base portion to said shade portion, said latter means including an undulating connection defining a circumscribing groove, a lamp socket means, said lamp socket means including a threaded lamp holder adapted to receive an electric light bulb, a switch housing connected to said lamp holder, and a nonconducting member interposed between said lamp holder and said switch housing for electrically insulating one from the other, and a laterally extending flange circumscribing said lamp socket means, said flange being detachably received in said groove for supporting said lamp socket means in said groove.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said base portion is frustum-conical in shape, and said undulating connection is integrally formed to said base portion and shade portion, said shade portion diverging outwardly and upwardly from said undulating connection to a point intermediate the height of said shade, and then said shade converges upwardly and inwardly. 